check engine BMW M3 COUPE 2008 E92 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2008, Model line: M3 COUPE, Model: BMW M3 COUPE 2008 E92Pages: 172, PDF Size: 5.29 MB
Page 14 of 172

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Tachometer59
5Shift Lights
*52
6Engine oil temperature60
7Display for
>Clock59
>Outside temperature59
>Indicator and warning lamps65
>With dual clutch transmission:
Computer608Display for
>Gear display M dual clutch transmission 
with Drivelogic
*49
>With manual transmission:
Computer60
>Date of next scheduled service, and 
remaining distance to be driven63
>Odometer and trip odometer59
>Checking oil level117
>Settings and information61
> There is a Check Control 
message65
9Fuel gauge60
10Resetting the trip odometer59 
Page 15 of 172

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 13
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a 
variety of combinations and colors.
Some lamps are checked for proper functioning 
and thus come on briefly when the engine is 
started or the ignition is switched on.
What to do in case of a malfunction
A list of all indicator and warning lamps, as well 
as notes on possible causes of malfunctions 
and on how to respond, can be found starting 
on page140. 
Page 29 of 172

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 27
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Convenient access*
Convenient access enables you to enter your 
vehicle without needing to hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. All you need to do is wear the 
remote control close to your body, e.g. in your 
jacket pocket. The vehicle detects the corre-
sponding remote control within the immediate 
vicinity or in the passenger compartment.
Convenient access supports the following 
functions:
>Unlocking/locking the vehicle
>Unlocking the luggage compartment lid 
separately
>Starting the engine
>Convenient closure
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the luggage compartment lid 
can only be locked when the vehicle detects 
that the remote control currently in use is 
outside of the vehicle.
>The vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked 
again until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started when the 
vehicle detects that the remote control cur-
rently in use is inside the vehicle.
Comparison to the standard remote 
control
In general, there is no difference between using 
convenient access or pressing the buttons on 
the remote control to carry out the functions 
mentioned above. You should therefore first 
familiarize yourself with the instructions on 
opening and closing starting on page18.
Special features regarding the use of conve-
nient access are described below.If you notice a brief delay while opening or 
closing windows, the glass roof or retract-
able hardtop, the system is checking whether a 
remote control is inside the vehicle. Please 
repeat the opening or closing procedure, if nec-
essary.<
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger's door completely, arrow 1. This corre-
sponds to pressing the  button.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow 2, with your finger for 
approx. 1 second. This corresponds to pressing 
the button.
To preserve the battery, please make 
sure that the ignition and all electrical 
consumers are switched off before locking the 
vehicle.<
Coupe: convenient closure
For convenient closure, keep your finger on the 
surface, arrow 2.
Convertible: window and convertible 
top operation
With the ignition at radio readiness or beyond, 
you can open and close the windows and the 
convertible top when a remote control is 
located inside the vehicle.
Unlocking the luggage compartment 
lid separately
Press the button on the outside of the luggage 
compartment lid. This corresponds to pressing 
the button. 
Page 30 of 172

Opening and closing
28 If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accidentally left inside the 
locked vehicle's cargo bay after the luggage 
compartment lid is closed, the lid will reopen. 
The hazard warning flashers flash and an 
acoustic signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
Radio readiness is switched on by pressing the 
start/stop button, refer to page46.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch, 
otherwise the engine will start.<
Starting the engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion when a remote control is inside the vehicle. 
It is not necessary to insert a remote control into 
the ignition switch, refer to page46.
Malfunction
Convenient access may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. If this happens, open or close 
the vehicle via the buttons on the remote con-
trol or using the integrated key. To start the 
engine afterward, insert the remote control into 
the ignition switch.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote control is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote 
control with you inside the vehicle or have it 
checked. If necessary, insert another remote 
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on: replace the battery 
in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for convenient access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from 
time to time.
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote 
control, refer to page18.
2.Remove the cover.
3.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
4.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, watch the windows 
while closing them. 
Take the remote control with you when you 
leave the car, otherwise children could operate 
the electric windows and possibly injure them-
selves.<
Coupe: opening, closing
>Press the switch to the resistance point:
The window opens as long as you press the 
switch. 
Page 62 of 172

Everything under control
60 Never drive at engine speeds in the red warning 
field. In this range, the engine speed is limited to 
protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and 
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. 
Check coolant level, refer to page119.
Engine oil temperature
When the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature, the engine oil temperature is between 
approx. 1757/806 and approx. 2507/
1206.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, a warn-
ing lamp comes on in the instrument cluster.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 16.6 US gal/
63 liters.
You can find information on refueling on 
page108.If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period, 
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for 
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve 
zone of approx. 3.3 US gal/12.5 liters, the indi-
cator lamp and cruising range for the remaining 
amount of fuel are displayed briefly. The indica-
tor lamp remains permanently on when the 
remaining range is less than approx. 30 miles/
50 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in the instrument cluster
Calling up information
Press the button in the turn indicator lever.
The following items of information are dis-
played in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Oil level, refer to Checking oil level on 
page117
>Average fuel consumption
>Speed
>No information
M dual clutch transmission:
Outside temperature, time, cruising 
range, oil level, average fuel consumption and 
speed appear in the top display.< 
Page 63 of 172

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 61
To set the corresponding units of measure, 
refer to Formats and units of measure on 
page62.
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available 
with the remaining fuel. The range is calculated 
on the basis of the way the car has been driven 
over the last 18 miles/30 km and the amount of 
fuel currently in the tank.Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.
the time during which the engine is running.
To reset average fuel consumption: press the 
button in the turn indicator lever for approx. 
2seconds.
Settings and information
Operating principle
Certain settings and information can only be 
made or called up when the ignition is switched 
on. A number of settings cannot be made while 
driving.
1Button for:
>Selecting display
>Setting values2Button for:
>Confirming selected display or set val-
ues
>Calling up computer information60
3When the lights are on: instrument lighting 
brightness78
4Calling up Check Control65
5Setting the time64
6Setting the date64
7Viewing service requirement display63 
Page 69 of 172

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 67
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Park Distance Control PDC*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces. Acoustic signals warn you of 
the presence of an object behind your vehicle. 
To measure the distance, there are four ultra-
sonic sensors in the bumpers.
An acoustic warning does not sound until an 
object is closer than approx. 24 in/60 cm to the 
corner sensors, or closer than approx. 5 ft/
1.50 m to the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the 
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the system is activated after approx. 1 sec-
ond when you engage reverse gear. Wait this 
short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 165 ft/50 m of driving or over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system switches 
off and the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated 
correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases, 
the intervals between the tones become 
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds
>if you stop in front of an object that has been 
detected by only one of the corner sensors>if you are driving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches, 
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects 
that have already been displayed, e. g. curbs, 
can disappear again from the detection area of 
the sensors before or after a continuous tone 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive 
cautiously, otherwise there is a risk of personal 
injury or property damage. Loud sound sources 
outside or inside the car can drown out the PDC 
signal. Therefore, always drive cautiously, oth-
erwise there is a risk of personal injury or prop-
erty damage.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help 
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in 
adverse driving conditions. 
Page 72 of 172

Technology for driving comfort and safety
70 When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. 
Do not initialize the system while snow chains 
are attached.<
1.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
2.Press the button for approx. 4 seconds until 
the warning lamp in the instrument cluster 
lights up yellow. Warning lamp, refer to Indi-
cation of a flat tire on page70.
3.Start to drive.
Initialization is completed while the car is 
moving, without any feedback.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow 
and red. In addition, an acoustic sig-
nal sounds. There is a flat tire or sub-
stantial loss of tire pressure.
1.Reduce your speed and carefully stop the 
car. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Identify the damaged tire. To do so, check 
the tire pressure using the M Mobility Sys-
tem, refer to Producing the tire inflation 
pressure on page132.
3.Repair the flat tire with the M Mobility Sys-
tem, refer to page132.
Malfunction
The warning lamps come on in yel-
low. The Flat Tire Monitor has a mal-
function or has failed. Have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM*
The concept
TPM checks the inflation pressures of the four 
mounted tires. The system notifies you if there 
is a significant loss of pressure in one or more 
tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be reset while all tire infla-
tion pressures are correct.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics. Oth-
erwise, the system may malfunction.
Each time a tire inflation pressure has 
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been 
changed, reset the system.<
System limitations
TPM cannot warn you in advance of sud-
den severe tire damage caused by out-
side influences.<
The system does not work correctly if it has not 
been reset; for example, a flat tire may be indi-
cated even though the tire inflation pressures 
are correct.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat 
tire if a wheel without TPM electronics has been 
mounted, or if TPM is temporarily malfunction-
ing due to other systems or devices using the 
same radio frequency.
Resetting the system
Each time a tire inflation pressure has 
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been 
changed, reset the system.<
1.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
2.Press the button for approx. 4 seconds until 
the warning lamp in the instrument cluster 
lights up yellow. Warning lamp, refer to  
Page 80 of 172

Lamps
78 angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves at speeds up to 40 mph/70 km/h, 
e.g. on mountainous roads or when turning, an 
additional, corner-illuminating lamp is switched 
on that lights up the inside area of the curve.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch to position 3, refer to page76. 
The corner-illuminating lamp is switched on 
automatically, depending on the steering wheel 
angle or turn signal indicator.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Head Light directs light towards the front pas-
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill.
When you are reversing, only the corner-illumi-
nating lamps are active and switched on on 
both sides.
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is 
malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible.
High beams/roadside parking 
lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
*
Roadside parking lamps, left or right
There is an additional option of switching on the 
lamps on the side of the car facing the road 
when parked.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the pressure point for a longer 
period, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.<
Switching off
Press the lever in the opposite direction to the 
pressure point, arrow 3.
Instrument lighting
You can adjust the brightness of the instrument 
lighting only when the parking lamps or the low 
beams are switched on.
1.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up 
or down repeatedly until the appropriate 
symbol appears in the display, accompa-
nied by the brightness level and the word 
"SET".
2.Press button 2. 
Page 106 of 172

BMW M3 engineering
104
Driving on a race track
BMW recommends the following measures 
before driving on a race track:
>Participate in a BMW driver training course
>Have the vehicle checked by your BMW 
center
Operation on a race track can lead to 
increased wear. The BMW M3 is not 
designed for use in competitive motorsports. 
This wear is not covered by the vehicle war-
ranty.<
The series brake pads and wear indicator are 
not designed for operation on a race track. Your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you.